2003 Subaru Impreza

● Typical for this model
2003 Subaru Impreza
RENDERED 2026-08-02T11:56:07.041Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Subaru Impreza Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2003 highlighted. 1990: 1 complaints 1990 1993: 33 complaints 1994: 8 complaints 1995: 46 complaints 1996: 20 complaints 1997: 30 complaints 1997 1998: 30 complaints 1999: 22 complaints 2000: 41 complaints 2001: 11 complaints 2002: 292 complaints 2002 2003: 62 complaints 2003 2004: 96 complaints 2005: 75 complaints 2006: 56 complaints 2007: 68 complaints 2007 2008: 176 complaints 2009: 103 complaints 2010: 45 complaints 2011: 57 complaints 2012: 242 complaints 2012 2013: 248 complaints 2014: 108 complaints 2015: 77 complaints 2016: 75 complaints 2017: 125 complaints 2017 2018: 149 complaints 2019: 191 complaints 2020: 85 complaints 2021: 14 complaints 2022: 12 complaints 2022 2023: 4 complaints 2024: 29 complaints 2025: 4 complaints 2026: 1 complaints 2026
2003: 62 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19901
199333
19948
199546
199620
199730
199830
199922
200041
200111
2002292
200362
200496
200575
200656
200768
2008176
2009103
201045
201157
2012242
2013248
2014108
201577
201675
2017125
2018149
2019191
202085
202114
202212
20234
202429
20254
20261

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 19%

19% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 12 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT SMELLED FUEL INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE ENGINE BAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V468000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE).

NHTSA ODI report, 20190220

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 15%

15% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 9 distinct reports on file.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 11%

11% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 7 distinct reports on file.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 10%

10% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 6 distinct reports on file.

FIRE INJURY
AIR BAGS 5%

5% of complaints: air bags — 3 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TAKATA AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. SIDE IMPACT SENSOR DID NOT WORK. THE CAR TRAVELED SIDEWAYS INTO A LARGE OAK TREE IN EXCESS OF 35 MPH . THE POINT OF IMPACT WAS WHERE THE SIDE IMPACT SENSOR WAS LOCATED . NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED .

NHTSA ODI report, 20161013

CAR WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON CRASH AT ABOUT 45 MPH INTO A FIRE HYDRANT IN THE CITY OF BELL. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS EXPANDED AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH. SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI report, 20130531

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20030108 — power train

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS WERE PRODUCED WITH AN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION PARKING ROD. WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SELECTOR LEVER IS PL

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PARKING ROD ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION JANUARY 8, 2003. AN INTERIM OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BE SENT DURING NOVEMBER 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR V

Campaign 02V282000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20040107 — PE (closed 20040527)

FUEL LINE LEAKAGE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT

R 20040412 — vehicle speed control

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER SEDANS, WAGONS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE COULD COME OUT OF ITS TRACK ON THE CRUISE CONTROL LEVER AND LODGE ON THE CONTROL LEVER TAB WHEN THE ACCELERATO

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A CRUISE CONTROL CABLE RETAINING CLIP TO THE CRUISE CONTROL LEVER TAB ON THE THROTTLE SHAFT IN ORDER TO PREVENT THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE FROM COMING OUT OF ITS TRACK. OWNER NOTIF

Campaign 04V128000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20040820 — seats

ON CERTAIN SEDAN AND WAGON MODEL VEHICLES, THE LEFT FRONT BOLT THAT RETAINS THE FORWARD PART OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT TO THE SEAT SLIDE RAIL MAY LOOSEN. IF THE SEAT SLIDE RAIL BOLT LOOSENS, IT WILL EVENT

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LEFT HAND DRIVER'S SEAT RAIL MOUNTING BOLT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 20, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.

Campaign 04V342000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20080602 — latches/locks/linkages

SUBARU IS RECALLING 36,791 MY 2002-2003 IMPREZA WAGONS. THE STUD BOLT(S) OF REAR GATE STAY MAY HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED WITH INSUFFICIENT TIGHTENING TORQUE AND A GAP MAY HAVE RESULTED BETWEEN THE REAR GAT

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT TO SEE IF THERE IS ANY GAP AT THE STUD BOLT OF THE REAR GATE STAY INSTALLATION. IF A GAP IS FOUND, THE STUD BOLT WILL BE REMOVED TO CHECK FOR DAMAGE TO THE WELDING NUT. IF THE W

Campaign 08V135000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20090310 — PE (closed 20090702)

FUEL LINE LEAK

I 20090702 — EA (closed 20091214)

FUEL LINE LEAK

R 20091231 — fuel system, gasoline

SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002 AND 2003 IMPREZA WRX VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF SOUTH DAKOTA, NEBRASKA, NORTH DAKOTA, MINNESOTA, IDAHO, IOWA, MONT

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL LINE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 31, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.

Campaign 09V468000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20110407 — PE (closed 20110923)

Front suspension control arm failure

R 20111231 — suspension

SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002-2007 IMPREZA, MODEL YEAR 2003-2008 FORESTER, AND MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 SAAB 9-2X VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 5, 2000 THROUGH NOVEMBER 26, 2007 ORIGI

Remedy: SUBARU WILL HANDLE THEIR VEHICLES AND SAAB WILL HANDLE THEIRS. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DEGREE OF CORROSION OF THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS, AND WILL EITHER RUSTPROOF OR REPLACE THEM. THIS SERVICE W

Campaign 11V464000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20140611 — PE (closed 20150302)

Air Bag Inflator Rupture

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2003 Subaru Impreza — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for fuel/propulsion system issues (12 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (9 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for fuel system, gasoline issues (7 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 02V282000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 04V128000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 04V342000 (seats) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 08V135000 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09V468000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 11V464000 (suspension) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1998 ▲ 1997 ▲ 1993

WORST YEARS

■ 2002 ■ 2013 ■ 2012

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2003 Subaru Impreza reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Subaru Impreza is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Subaru Impreza?

The most-reported component is fuel/propulsion system, accounting for 19% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2003 Subaru Impreza have?

6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.